The United States has changed radically since Sept. 11, 2001. It’s hard to live in Washington D.C. and not see it around you every day.

Access has been replaced with gates, berms, fences, walls and security cameras. Freedom of speech, one of the hallmarks of our culture, has been under intense pressure as well. Everyone knows about the warrantless wiretapping that Vice President Dick Cheney pushed through, and how he absolved the telcos from any legal threats. Most know what they do online is under considerable tracking and surveillance—not just from government, but from corporations who use and sell the data.

But until last week, I’m not certain we knew that the ability to protest, and the ability to report on those protests, is also threatened.

Even after attending numerous protests on the Mall between the Capitol and Lincoln Memorial, I was still shocked in 2009 when I was confronted by police in full battle gear. In response to Glenn Beck’s previous gathering, labor unions, civil rights and environmental organizations were speaking back to show the kind of America they believed in. Walking along the reflecting pond, I came upon power generators for the event and a policeman in riot gear holding an M-16 in a ready-to-use posture. I don’t know if Beck and the Comedy Central gathering later got the same treatment. It was intimidating.

When the Tea Party movement seized the August recess created by blue dog Democrats and rallied against health care and President Obama, I didn’t see much evidence of police presence. Despite much heckling of congress people at events, I

didn’t see anyone dragged off or arrested. But when folks on the left challenged Republicans like Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, there were arrests with hecklers pushed to the floor and handcuffed. That should have been the first indication that something was changing.

Then the Occupy Wall Street movement broke out. In recent weeks I’ve been horrified to see the violent suppression of many peaceful protests, with “non-lethal projectiles,” tear gas, baton-bashing and pepper spray. Not a single situation called for the violence perpetrated by law enforcement. I’ll admit I did see some violence by folks claiming to be part of the protests, but only after police took their actions.

I’m troubled that there hasn’t been more outrage. I’m not surprised to see security used as an excuse to break up non-violent demonstrations and occupations. But it would appear that the ability to protest against the government, a right enshrined in the Constitution, is being blocked by that same government.

Worst of all is the arrest of journalists. In the past few weeks I’m aware of at least 15 unnecessary and wrongful arrests of journalists working to cover both the protests and the actions of law enforcement. More chilling is the anecdotal evidence that anyone with a camera seems to get special attention. Mayor Bloomberg, among the worst of the abusers, actually stated this was done for journalists’ safety. If this kind of thing happens in Syria, Egypt or Myanmar, all hell breaks loose. The Secretary of State might issue a statement calling for protection of human rights. Not so in America.

Many media groups, including The Newspaper Guild, have issued statements and petitions condemning the actions and arrests. But that’s not enough. The public has to care and condemn this as well.

There’s no telling what the election campaign will bring forth next year. Civil war is taking place in America over the future of this country. The disagreement is notably characterized by the public failure of the so-called “super committee.”

I’m guessing things will stay tense. Blocking the ability to protest and the ability to practice journalism is a chilling statement on what is happening in our country, and all too often in the name of security.

Those of us who care deeply about journalism and the right to protest must make our case. We need to protect everyone telling the story, whether they are freelancers, paid staff or bloggers. There is little trust right now in America. There will be even less if people don’t believe there’s a way to talk about these problems and tell the story.